PLANS have been launched to enhance the Anniesland Sporting Campus in a £12 million project.
The Glasgow Academy development focuses on three areas within the campus – Windyedge, School Ground, and New Anniesland – with it aimed to champion inclusivity and accessibility, with a vision to improve teaching, sports, and social facilities.
Earlier this year, The Glasgow Academy hosted a two-stage community consultation to share information about proposals with the public. Across the two events, over 120 people attended. The majority of attendees were supportive of plans, with more than two-thirds (67%) agreeing that the campus needs modernisation. Feedback shared from across the two events has been used to refine the final masterplan, as led by architect firm, Sheppard Robson.
At School Ground, two ‘state-of-the-art’ 4G rugby pitches and one 4G hockey pitch is proposed together with the refurbishment and extension of the clubhouse building to create modernised changing rooms and social spaces.
The improved quality of the pitches and use of floodlighting – designed to mitigate light and glare spillage on neighbouring residents – will increase the available time pitches can be played on, particularly throughout winter, the school said.
At upper Windyedge, plans seek to develop three existing tennis courts, together with a short pile synthetic seven-aside hockey pitch. The current water-based hockey pitch will be retained and lining for six tennis courts provided, allowing for multi-sport use.
The club house facilities at upper Windyedge will also be replaced, creating ‘much-needed’ modern changing areas and shower rooms. Additionally, new teaching facilities will enable pupils to take lessons on-site and reduce the amount of car and bus journeys made to the Kelvinbridge campus, where all curricular learning currently takes place.
Although the new offering will primarily be used by pupils, the school said that the local community groups, sports clubs and schools will be invited enjoy the campus throughout the year. This will include a proportion of free bookable time slots for local groups, ensuring that affordability is not a barrier.
More planting around pitches and within green spaces has been included to improve biodiversity. Dedicated car parking spaces, including an accessible parking and drop-off zone, is incorporated into the design, helping to reduce on-street parking.
The ambitious plans will be enabled through the potential sale of the current Lower Windyedge site, further enhancing the local community with the provision for much-needed new homes.
Gavin Halliday, chief operating officer at The Glasgow Academy, said, “The Glasgow Academy has a long sporting history to be proud of, however we are acutely aware that the facilities at our Anniesland campus requires investment and upgrading.
“Over the last 18 months, we have worked closely with a trusted project team to develop a masterplan that will futureproof the campus and enhance our reputation as a world-class sporting destination. The Glasgow Academy equally prides itself on being a community partner, with many local groups and sports clubs already using our facilities.
“Under plans, we can extend this and welcome more people to our community. Submitting a planning application to Glasgow City Council represents an important milestone in the project and we await determination to bring our vision to life in due course.”
If plans are approved by Glasgow City Council, the campus will be re-developed over a phased period and construction works will have no impact on sports training schedules or academic studies for pupils, the school added.
The wider project team includes Porter Planning, Rankin Fraser, Goodson Associates, and Atelier Ten.
